Disability campaigners have warned plans to completely redevelop one of the borough’s biggest stations do not take the needs of disabled people into account.

Transport for London’s proposals to demolish and rebuild Tottenham Hale Underground and rail station will be considered by Haringey Borough Council's planning committee on Monday.

The plans aim to create a new station entrance, enlarged station concourse and improve access to platforms 1 and 2.

TfL also wants to extend the existing footbridge to make a new station entrance from Hale Village and close the Ferry Lane subway.

Planning officers have recommended councillors allow the development, but Haringey Disabilities Consortium said it was “incredibly concerned” about the lack of consideration for disabled people.

The current plans do not include disability access to the station.

Councillor Lorna Reith, who represents Tottenham Hale, also raised concerns about the plans.

She said: “I am concerned at the loss of the subway which is heavily used by Ferry Lane estate residents.

“I object in particular to the failure to ensure that the bridge link to Hale Village is Disabilities Discrimination Act compliant.”

Cllr Reith added: “Tottenham Hale station is extremely busy and passenger numbers are set to increase substantially.

“A high proportion of passengers are in transit and it appears to me that the design has favoured their needs over those of local residents.”

The Labour councillor said disability access is especially important as Hale Village has many families with small children who use baby buggies and at least 30 homes specially designed for wheelchair users.

The plans will be debated at a planning committee meeting at the Civic Centre, in High Road, Wood Green, on March 10 at 7pm.

Comments (2)

I too am very concerned at the loss of the subway which will make the Ferry Lane Estate increasingly isolated. The Council's transport assessors, TFL and planners have not done enough to work out solutions to link the Ferry Lane Estate with the new developments, including Hale Village, even if it means opening up one of the disused arches under the busy Ferry Lane to provide safe passage. Ignoring this, and assuming people will walk an extra 100 yards to the nearest crossing will endanger safety, if not life.

I too am very concerned at the loss of the subway which will make the Ferry Lane Estate increasingly isolated. The Council's transport assessors, TFL and planners have not done enough to work out solutions to link the Ferry Lane Estate with the new developments, including Hale Village, even if it means opening up one of the disused arches under the busy Ferry Lane to provide safe passage. Ignoring this, and assuming people will walk an extra 100 yards to the nearest crossing will endanger safety, if not life.Jason M T

The reality of Tottenham Hale getting a landmark station for local people and commuters is that they will have to live in a building site for several years to come. And this is on top of the continuing disruption from the roadwork scheme and new bus station being built. Dishonestly TfL trumpet that the new station is about improving the commuter experience; when it is primarily designed to create commercial space for shops, flats, and offices. Yet, it the approval for over-station development that is most worrying. The heralded large concourse is in fact the foundations for a nine-storey tower. That is the transformation TfL really means. No needed third tube escalator, no significant extra space at the tube gates, and no step-free bridge.

The reality of Tottenham Hale getting a landmark station for local people and commuters is that they will have to live in a building site for several years to come. And this is on top of the continuing disruption from the roadwork scheme and new bus station being built. Dishonestly TfL trumpet that the new station is about improving the commuter experience; when it is primarily designed to create commercial space for shops, flats, and offices. Yet, it the approval for over-station development that is most worrying. The heralded large concourse is in fact the foundations for a nine-storey tower. That is the transformation TfL really means. No needed third tube escalator, no significant extra space at the tube gates, and no step-free bridge.MartinBall